Chapter 43 - Departure

Time had flown by, and autumn had arrived with its chilling yet beautiful weather. The leaves had taken on a warm orange hue, painting the surroundings with the colors of the season. However, the fallen leaves also meant additional work for the servants, who were busy cleaning and preparing for the upcoming hunting ceremony.

A group of servants was bustling around, packing up their belongings, and getting ready to depart to the imperial capital. Seraphine, now considered a sibling to Marcus after being adopted into the Miller family, took on the role of an advisor and helped manage the preparations for the journey. Being Baron's daughter afforded her a certain status and privileges, making many tasks easier.

As Marcus approached her, He teased Seraphine slightly about the new sibling relationship they shared. He assured her that she would get used to it in time, and they exchanged warm smiles.

Damian, looking sharp in his formal black noble suit, joined them. Despite being on a journey, his attire showcased the customary formalities expected of nobility. Seraphine greeted him with a welcoming smile as they discussed the readiness to depart.

"Everything is ready, Young Master. Shall we depart right away?" Seraphine asked, showing her eagerness for the journey.

"Alright. We shouldn't waste any time here. Let us go," Damian ordered, and all the followers quickly assumed their positions, ready to depart.

Before entering the carriage, Damian turned to Marcus with a serious expression. He acknowledged that it might take a while for him to return and entrusted Marcus with the responsibilities in his absence.

"It will be a few days before I come back. I leave everything in your hands, Marcus," Damian said, entrusting his duties to his capable butler.

As they left the mansion behind, Seraphine and Damian embarked on their journey together. They were now sitting side by side in the carriage, with Seraphine gazing out of the window at the grassy plains passing by. The slow pace of the horse-drawn carriage made her realize how much she missed the speed and convenience of modern cars.

"Is something on your mind?" Damian inquired, noticing Seraphine's contemplative expression.

"It's nothing, young master. I can't help but think this carriage is quite slow. I hope I can make a new way of transportation," Seraphine replied, realizing that the world's technology was far from advanced enough to create engines or vehicles like those in her previous life.

"Ah, I see. but i think the pace is quite normal for a horse-drawn carriage," Damian remarked, understanding her perspective but he still thinks it is quite normal for horse-drawn carriage to move at this speed.

"But you know, Seraphine, you have a way of turning the impossible into reality," he added with a smile, acknowledging her remarkable abilities to achieve what others might consider unattainable.

Seraphine appreciated Damian's confidence in her, but she knew that even with her and Alice's ingenuity, certain advancements were beyond their current means.

As they continued their journey, they faced the challenges of travel in this world. It was exhausting for Seraphine, and she found herself yearning for the comfort and speed of modern transportation. Despite her longing, the journey was necessary to reach their destination: the capital. They would have to rest and continue their travel for a few more days before finally reaching their goal.

Traveling in this world was a far cry from the convenience of airplanes or cars. Seraphine couldn't help but miss the comfort, even if it meant being crammed in an economy seat. Since she is just a broke college student who can only afford a low-cost airline to travel.

Finally, their journey brought them to the grand front gate of the imperial capital. The towering walls loomed above them, an imposing sight that spoke of the city's grandeur. Seraphine's eyes widened as she took in the enormity of the capital, with its magnificent structures and bustling streets.

From a distance, she caught sight of the imperial castle, its majestic towers glistening in the sunlight. The city seemed to stretch endlessly before her, with its bustling markets, grand buildings, and lively streets. The imperial capital was truly a sight to behold.

"This is your first time seeing the capital, right?" Damian asked, noticing the excitement in Seraphine's eyes as she peered out of the carriage window.

"Yes, young master. It's truly magnificent and much larger than Riverdale, the city we visited before," Seraphine replied, still in awe of the vastness and splendor of the capital.

"Seraphine, the capital is home to over one million people. It's no wonder it's much larger than any other city we've been to," Damian explained with a smile, enjoying seeing Seraphine's childlike wonder.

As they passed through the main gate and completed the immigration process, Seraphine found herself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling city. The streets were filled with people from all walks of life, each going about their daily routines.

The sights, sounds, and scents of the capital brought back memories of her time living in a city during her college days. But to be honest with her, the capital smells much worse than a modern city since the sewage is not perfect and causes a nasty smell

The imperial capital was a hub of activity and culture, a place where dreams were pursued and destinies were woven. Seraphine felt a surge of excitement as she stepped into this city.

"Seraphine, we're going to stop at our capital mansion first and meet my father," Damian said to Seraphine, noticing her excitement as she looked outside. But as she turned her head back to him, she could sense his nervousness. The strained relationship with his father and the memories of being abandoned in a distant estate weighed heavily on Damian's mind.

Seraphine, sensing his unease, approached Damian and gently placed her hand on his trembling one. She looked into his eyes with warmth and reassurance.

"Don't worry, young master. I will always be by your side," Seraphine comforted Damian, and he took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. He looked back at her with gratitude, grateful for her support and understanding.

"Thank you, Seraphine. Being nervous here won't change anything. I will face everything that comes from my father. I don't care what he's going to say," Damian said, his voice filled with newfound confidence and determination, strengthened by Seraphine's presence.

As the carriage slowly moved through the streets, Damian's mind was filled with a mix of emotions. Anxiety and anticipation swirled within him as he thought about confronting his father and the memories of the past. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but with Seraphine at his side, he felt a newfound sense of courage.

Finally, the carriage approached the grand mansion that belonged to the Marquis Adrian. It was a stark contrast to the distant estate where Damian had been left to toil alone. As they neared the mansion, Damian steeled himself for the encounter, knowing that with Seraphine's unwavering support, he could face whatever awaited him within those walls.